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Three UFAs Who NHL Teams Should Sign To PTOs
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With most of the top unrestricted free agents signed, there are a few NHL players still available that could end up being great low-risk bets to take with professional tryout agreements ahead of the upcoming season
It has been over a month since the start of NHL free agency, with most of this year’s UFAs landing new contracts as the 2026-27 season approaches.
However, there are still a significant amount of noteworthy players looking for new deals. With it now being this late into the summer, it is likely that some of the remaining UFAs will need to settle for professional tryout (PTO) agreements
PTOs are short-term contracts that allow free agents to participate in a team’s training camp and preseason games without a guaranteed roster spot or salary attached to them
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Let’s look at three specific UFAs whom NHL teams should consider taking chances on with PTOs
After playing in only five games last season with the Montreal Canadiens due to injury, Patrik Laine is still unsigned
Given his long injury history, he may have no choice but to settle for a PTO
Yet, given Laine’s strong resume, NHL teams should not be afraid to invite him to training camp on a PTO. This would allow them to take a look at the 28-year-old winger before deciding if they want to sign him to a contract for the season.
Considering that Laine is a three-time 30-goal scorer, there is no question that he is a fascinating PTO candidate. In his last mostly healthy season with the Canadiens in 2024-25, he posted 20 goals and 33 points
Even after a solid season with the San Jose Sharks, John Klingberg is still a UFA
In 56 games with San Jose in 2025-26, he posted 10 goals, 17 assists, and 27 points. He was limited to a combined 25 games over the two previous seasons due to injury, so the 2025-26 campaign was definitely a success for the 33-year-old blueliner
However, that injury history could be exactly what is making teams hesitant to sign Klingberg for the season. He is still another player who teams should not be afraid to take a gamble on with a PTO
thehockeynews.com2025-26 San Jose Sharks Player Reviews: John KlingbergJohn Klingberg was one of the most polarizing players on the San Jose Sharks amongst the team’s fanbase. He produced at a high offensive rate, but he provided very little in his own end.
The veteran defenseman showed last season that he can still produce solid offense from the point, which is never a bad thing for an NHL club to have
Teams looking for a puck-moving defenseman for their right side should strongly consider taking a chance on Klingberg with a PTO. He is the best right-shot UFA defenseman available at this point in the summer.
Reilly Smith’s days as a true top-six winger may have passed, but he showed last season with the Vegas Golden Knights that he can still be valuable as a secondary offensive producer
In 69 games with Vegas in 2025-26, he scored 16 goals and recorded 26 points.
Smith also recorded at least 40 points from 2022-23 to 2024-25, so it is fair to wonder if he could increase his scoring next season if given another opportunity from an NHL team
Although, with Smith now being 35 and showing some decline, he may need to earn a deal for the season through a PTO.
Smith’s strong resume and recent success, he is a player that teams should not be hesitant to bring in on a PTO.
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